Maguire did not give a reason for dropping out in a statement released by an aide.

About 72 percent of Fifth District voters live in Bergen County. Roy Cho, 32, a Democrat and corporate lawyer from Hackensack, is also weighing whether to run in the 2014 race.

Maguire had filed paperwork and raised money to run for the Democratic nomination to unseat Garrett. The 74-year-old had served in the House of Representatives from 1974 to 1980.

Lou Stellato, chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, spoke to Maguire about running back in January, the Star-Ledger's Auditor column reported. Maguire recently moved from Maryland back to Ridgewood, where he attended high school.